How we use client information
In order to provide an effective and professional counselling service, Riverside holds information about you, which includes contact details, information about your GP, date of birth, source of referral, previous experience of counselling and medication used and a brief session note. Your personal data will not be shared with anyone outside Riverside without your knowledge and permission, unless any of the following apply:
1 When a counsellor has good grounds for believing that a person may cause serious harm to themselves or others.
2 When we are instructed by a court to disclose information.
3. When a person discloses serious criminal activity, or knowledge of serious criminal activity, this includes statutory obligations in relation to terrorist activity and is a legal requirement.
4 When it is necessary to uphold child protection laws.
Your personal data is usually held by Riverside for 7 years after you have finished counselling.
Riverside is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and all our counsellors comply with the BACP’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. In accordance with their professional requirements, counsellors discuss their work with an external supervisor, but the identity of the client is not revealed. Case material may sometimes be used anonymously by counsellors to enhance their practice and professional development. Anonymised data is used for the purposes of accounting, fundraising, preparing annual reports, publicising Riverside’s work, raising awareness and research. You can ask to see the information held about you at any time and a data subject access request will be responded to within 30 days of your request.
Your responsibility
We would ask that you keep us informed (by email, telephone, or in writing) of any changes in your personal data so that we may have our records up to date at all times. If you wish to withdraw your consent please contact us (by email, telephone, or in writing). You have the ‘right to be forgotten’, which means you can request the deletion or removal of personal data where there is no compelling reason for its continued processing.
GP/3rd Party Consents
I consent to having my information held as outlined above and confirm that I have given Riverside permission to refer, in respect of my counselling, to my GP or any other health professional involved in my care.
Why does Riverside need this? In some exceptional circumstances, for example if there is an immediate concern about your physical or mental health, we may need to contact your GP for your safety. We would always try to discuss this with you
first. We do not disclose the exact content of your counselling sessions to your doctor. Please note that we cannot proceed with your referral unless we receive your consent, if you have any questions about this, please call: 01491 876670.
Communication Consents
Tick your preferred methods of consent from the list below. Please TICK ALL that apply (a minimum of one must be selected)
I consent that I'd like to hear from you via email
I consent that I'd like to receive phone calls from you and you can leave voice messages
I consent that I'd like to receive SMS texts from you
I consent that I'd like to receive letters from you
I consent that I can be contacted in the future about your services